Guide to coffee grinding

 Guide to coffee grinding

Why is the thickness of the grind we use to prepare coffee so important?
In this article we provide clarity to understand the role that grinding has in achieving an excellent taste of our coffee or, on the contrary, wasting the good work done throughout the value chain from the collection of the bean at its origin.

- Guide to coffee grinding and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

First of all, so that we have an overview of all the variables that can influence the final result of our drink (which we will explain in future articles), we leave you a brief outline below:

Coffee bean collection method → Processing method → Blend (mixture of different beans) / single origin → Roasting → Packaging → Time between roasting and consumption → Recipe (amount of water vs coffee) → Water hardness → Degree of grinding → Preparation method → Water temperature → Turbulence → Infusion time → Time between grinding and consumption .

What is a grind grade?

With degree of grinding we refer to the thickness of our ground coffee, for which we have had to select the point of grinding of the coffee in our grinder.

Ok, and why do we grind? Let's imagine a coffee bean already roasted. This contains many properties inside wanting to get out. What do we do to extract them? Mix the grain with water. But will I get it to dissolve by mixing the whole grains with very hot water and stirring it like there is no tomorrow? Obviously, the infusion that we will achieve will be very small. It is for this reason that we require grinding the coffee beans.

If we leave the rest of the variables that influence the final result of the drink constant and we only play with adjusting the coffee grind, we will be able to dissolve more properties of our coffee, the finer this grind is. Why? It is very simple. Let's imagine ourselves on the beach and, why not, enjoying a good coffee. From our umbrella we see how the children play with the watering can, pouring water on the fine sand. This water slowly seeps through and is completely absorbed by the sand. There is a lot of contact surface of the water with the sand, since being fine particles they come into contact with the water a lot. If we think of a coffee grind as fine as sand, it is easy to visualize that the water will carry many more properties of the coffee. Quite the opposite occurs with a coarser grind. Here we can establish the analogy with a pebble beach. If we water these stones with the watering can, the water filters very quickly and barely comes into contact with them, so we would drag less properties of our coffee.

Types of coffee grinding according to type of coffee maker

How to grind coffee for coffee machine?

What is the optimal grind? As with so many things in life, the answer is "it depends." Taking into account that our coffee is specialty and a medium or light roast has been applied, that is, we have the guarantee that the duties have been done in the steps prior to grinding, we can go for our goal in the preparation: " extract the sweetest possible point " to the coffee.

And here it is not only the grinding that intervenes, but also the contact time of the water with the coffee , the water temperature , the turbulence or pressure applied to it and the amount of coffee per water . Taking into account that we leave these last factors constant, we have to try coffee with a degree of grinding as a starting point.

If the result is a salty or acid taste, it means that we have solubilized a small amount of coffee. That is, we need a finer grinding point. When this occurs, we speak of " sub-extraction ". Suppose we adjust several degrees for a fine grind and, as a result, we get a bitter or burnt taste. In this case, we refer to this situation as “ over-extraction ”, and we have to adjust the coffee grind to a greater thickness. The flavors that result as the coffee is solubilizing appear in the following order: salty → acid → sweet → bitter .

Another factor that can lead to unpleasant flavors is that some beans are ground finer than others, which will lead to “under-extraction” in some parts of the coffee and “over-extraction” in others, at the same time in the coffee. same drink. To avoid this, it is essential to have a good grinder, with the strawberries slightly worn and well placed.

Types of grinding and coffee grinders

We can classify the grinding into three types according to its thickness, each of which is more appropriate for a preparation method:

• Coarse grinding : it is the most used for coffee tastings or other preparation methods such as the French press, the metal filter or cold brew.
• Medium Grind - Widely used for manual drip infusion methods with paper filter.
• Fine grinding : it is used for the most common infusion methods, in which pressure is used: espresso from espréss machines, Italian mocha and aeropress.

Regarding the types of grinders to carry out the grinding operation of roasted coffee, we find:

• Electric blade mill : the most used in homes. The blades cut the coffee and the biggest problem is the lack of homogeneity in the size of the coffee particles, precisely one of the main objectives of a good grind.
• Manual mill for flat strawberries : it is the most popular and classic system. To regulate the grinding to a greater or lesser thickness we move a kind of axis. The coffee maker grinds and stores a dose that you have regulated. It is useful if you have a lot of concentrated work in a short time in a cafeteria, since it allows you to extract the stored dose of coffee in just 1 second.
• Conical Strawberry Manual Mill : The ability to fine-tune the grind with this mill is much higher, since moving the axis one hairline means changing the grind 10 times less than in the flat milling cutter. Therefore, the sensitivity of the change in thickness of the grind to shaft movements in a tapered cutter is much lower.
• Automatic mill with flat strawberries : the dose depends on the time you are grinding. Grind the dose instantly. You never know how many grams are going to come out because it depends on two variables: degree of grinding and grinding time.

Commercial Coffee Grinding

Grinding in commercial coffee

Obviously, when we are not talking about specialty coffee, the meticulousness and search for excellence in the degree of grinding (as in any of the other variables that, for simplicity, we have left constant in this post) does not make much difference in taste end of coffee.

The reason is very simple. The beans have been massively picked, both the immature green and the overripe black, and to camouflage their faulty flavors a very high roast is applied to the coffee. This causes us to lose our ability to extract the magical "sweet spot" in preparation. In the first place, because the bean was not harvested at its optimum point to offer this flavor and, even if it had been, it would have been burned by cooking the coffee at high temperatures with the high roast. The resulting flavor of these coffees is bitter or even burnt.

How do I adjust the grinder on my super-automatic coffee machine?
In JURA super-automatic coffee machines , in a similar way to other brands, we have a wheel that allows us to adjust the coffee grind to our liking. At the push of a button on the JURA machine, we comply with rule # 1 of coffee: “ground at the moment”, since coffee ground the day before has lost most of its aromatic and flavor properties.

With this super- automatic machine we achieve an exceptional result for a specialty coffee by automating the entire preparation process, without the need for an expert barista who takes into account the perfect harmony between all these variables: Degree of grinding → Preparation method → Temperature of the water → Turbulence → Infusion time → Time between grinding and consumption

Furthermore, JURA has completely perfected the brewing process for Ristretto and Espresso . A unique innovation guarantees a professional grinding result that increases aroma by 12.2%, simulating the result that a professional barista would achieve in a specialty coffee shop with an espresso machine.

How to use a blender to grind coffee

 How to use a blender to grind coffee

You can enjoy the rich taste and delicious aroma of freshly ground coffee beans without spending extra money on a coffee grinder simply by using your blender. Grinding your own coffee results in a fresher and tastier coffee because the beans hold flavor longer than ground coffee.

- How to use a blender to grind coffee and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

Step 1 - Set up your blender

Place your blender on a flat surface on the counter and plug it in. The flat surface is really important so that the vibrations from the blender don't cause other things to fall off the counter.

Step 2: decide how finely you will need to grind the beans

Different types of coffee makers require different beans. Medium ground beans work best for a drip machine. This means that when you pour the coffee grounds into your hand, some will stick, while most will fall off. Espresso machines tend to work best with a medium-fine grind. In this case, the majority will stick together, but the individual motifs can be easily seen. French Press Makers require a coarser texture so the grinds don't stick at all.

Step 3: pour the coffee beans into the blender and grind them

Start with a small amount of beans in the blender until you can calculate exactly how much coffee grounds your beans will yield. As you get more experience, you can better determine the correct amount of coffee beans to put in your blender, but generally a handful of beans should yield a tablespoon or two of ground coffee. As an alternative to your large blender body, you may consider screwing a Mason jar to your blender's grinding attachment. This can help you grind a better quality coffee. If you decide to try grinding your coffee beans in a Mason jar, simply place your coffee beans in the Mason jar, attach it to the blade attachment, and then screw the blade attachment into the base of the blender as usual. Some people swear that this is an easier process that is more effective for grinding beans and spices.Using either method, make sure the top of the blender is firmly on so you don't have a coffee bean blast all over your kitchen. Start with the blender on the pulse setting so your beans don't burn. If you don't have a pulse setting, turn it off every ten seconds to allow the beans to cool. No, for no reason, put your hand in the blender while it is in use. Start with the blender on the pulse setting so your beans don't burn. If you don't have a pulse setting, turn it off every ten seconds to allow the beans to cool. No, for no reason, put your hand in the blender while it is in use. Start with the blender on the pulse setting so your beans don't burn. If you don't have a pulse setting, turn it off every ten seconds to allow the beans to cool. No, for no reason, put your hand in the blender while it is in use.

Step 4 - Clean your blender

Rotate the blade attachment from the blender body. Rinse the blender in the sink. Most blender bodies are also dishwasher safe. Wash the blade attachment and the top of the blender by hand. Pay special attention when washing the blade attachment so that it does not get cut.

Step 5 - Make your coffee

Pour the ground coffee into the filter of your coffee maker. Follow your normal procedure for making coffee and enjoy.

How to Grind Coffee Beans in a Food Processor

 How to Grind Coffee Beans in a Food Processor

Although a coffee grinder is best for grinding coffee, a food processor can be used if nothing else is available. The key to using a processor is to think small and grind no more than the amount for a single coffee maker. If your processor has a small tube-shaped hopper, it can get the job done a bit faster and cleaning easier.

- How to Grind Coffee Beans in a Food Processor and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

Step 1
Measure the amount of roasted coffee beans needed to make a coffee pot. Generally 1/4 to 1/3 cup of coffee beans is suitable for a medium-sized coffee maker.

Step 2
Assemble your food processor. If you have the small hopper, make sure you put it in place.

Step 3
Pour in the coffee beans and put the cover on the processor.

Step 4
Pulse grind until grains have been ground. The finer you grind it, the stronger the coffee will be.

Step 5
Use the coffee grounds in your coffee maker as usual.

Why is it better to buy whole bean coffee?

 Why is it better to buy whole bean coffee?

Why is it better to buy coffee beans?

The world of coffee is full of great little decisions that make it our favorite drink, one of them is to buy coffee beans.

Drinking coffee may have become a habit for a huge number of people, something we do every day without fail. However, there is nothing better than that first sip of good coffee that throws you out of any routine.

- Why is it better to buy whole bean coffee and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

And to get to that sip of good coffee, it is best to start with a good coffee beans .

Regardless of how you prepare your coffee, by what method or at what temperature, buying coffee beans is always going to be a step towards the perfect sip of coffee.

What is coffee beans?

When we talk about coffee beans, we refer to the beans already extracted from the fruit of the coffee tree and already roasted but not ground . They differ from ground coffee because we can see the whole beans before we start our preparation, while in ground coffee we simply see many tiny scattered coffee particles.

In Argentina you can get coffee beans online, in specialty coffee shops and even in most good supermarkets.

Coffee beans vs ground coffee.

Some people prefer to buy ground coffee because it is more convenient for them. Either by not having a mill, because they sell it closer or to save time.

But if you have the time and patience, buy coffee beans and grind it before preparing it, you will notice a significant improvement in the taste of your drink.

Air and humidity, our number 1 enemies, make coffee slowly start to lose its properties. That is why it is important to try to grind your coffee just before consuming it. Once the grains are ground, the outer layer ceases to protect the rest of the grain and all of it is in contact with air and moisture.

The closer to the time the coffee was ground, the fresher, tastier and more aromatic it will be.

Preservation of coffee beans.

As we said, coffee beans keep better and longer than ground coffee. But while keeping coffee beans greatly extends the useful life of the food, it does not make it invincible.

Ideally, consume the coffee within 60 days from the roast date. And meanwhile keep it in a place that does not give it the sun and, against all myth, do not keep it in the refrigerator.

As for the container, it is preferable to store the coffee beans in hermetic bags with an internal aluminum wall that protect it from radiation and with a one-way valve to expel the coffee gases. This is the bag that we always use at Café Delirante , because we believe that it helps to improve your experience with us.

If you don't have one of these bags, just make sure the container is airtight, avoid being transparent and again: not in the sun, not in the refrigerator!

I have no way to grind my coffee!

In case you cannot grind it at home, it is better to ask for it to be ground at the time of purchase than to buy one already ground beforehand. We always have to try that the coffee is ground as close as possible to the moment we are going to prepare it.

It is important when grinding the coffee, take into account the extent of the grinding. It is not the same to grind coffee to prepare it with a filter method than for espresso.

As there are different grinders, and these have different graduations, it is not convenient to ask "Will I grind it in 3?", But we recommend that you mention the coffee preparation method you use at home and let the barista select the appropriate level grinding.

Coffee grinder

I want to grind my coffee at home, what grinder do I buy?
By now, you will be sure that the best way to achieve that revitalizing sip of coffee is to buy the coffee beans and grind it when preparing the cup.

In our opinion, even when it is a lot of money, investing in a mill is more useful than investing in a coffee maker .

You will ask yourself then, "what mill did I buy?" There are several options, an important recommendation is that it be a grinding wheel and not a blade mill.

Although cheaper, blade mills repeatedly grind coffee beans and don't always get a uniform grind. Knife mills generally come with a push button and when we finish grinding we are left with very different sized coffee particles, something that can be seen with the naked eye.

On the other hand, grinding mills are more expensive but they compensate for it by conserving better over time, in addition to having high precision when grinding coffee beans. When we use a grinding wheel, it will be difficult for us to find important differences between the sizes of the different particles of freshly ground coffee.

In Argentina, the options for getting good coffee grinders are limited. But we recommend a manual option and an automatic one:

The Hario Skerton manual grinder is a very good option for those who drink coffee alone and have the patience to grind every time they want to prepare a coffee. The Hario Skerton allows you to adjust the size of the grind, adapting to any preparation method other than espresso.

If you don't have the patience to grind manually, we recommend purchasing a Baratza automatic grinder . There is a wide range of Baratza models in Argentina, we can gladly advise you to see which one best suits your needs. Simply write to hola@cafedelirante.com.ar and we will get in touch with you.

Coffee roasting.

After being extracted, the coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures in large drums, obtaining their characteristic color and aroma.

This process can be carried out with different degrees of roasting that will influence the flavor of the coffee beans:

A light roasting process produces a light brown bean with a more acid flavor and a higher amount of caffeine.

On the other hand, a dark roast produces a dark brown bean, with a more bitter or smoky taste and with less caffeine.

A medium-degree roast has a better balance between flavor, acidity, aroma and caffeine that coffee beans will contain.

An ally in our search for the perfect sip of coffee is the roast date of the coffee beans.

Ideally, buy coffee beans roasted 7-14 days ago: fresh enough to drink fresh coffee but late enough to allow the coffee to release its natural gases.

Recapping about coffee beans

We believe that by now you will have chosen, like us, to buy coffee beans. For its freshness, for its aroma and above all for its flavor.

We also believe that you are no longer going to look at the expiration date but rather the roast date of the beans. In Argentina, few coffee roasters decide to communicate this date clearly on their labels, unlike what happens in other countries, where the consumer demands this information to validate that the coffee is fresh.

And we hope that you will soon be grinding your coffee yourself with the grinding wheel that best suits your needs and tastes.

Perhaps after reading all these indications you can be left with the feeling that there are many things to take into account ... But, again, it is those small big decisions that can make you have the best experience.

And, of all the things to take your time, what better than to prepare a good cup of coffee?

“People can die from one moment to another, it is a natural phenomenon. Let's drink coffee because in the other world you can't ”Immanuel Kant

We hope this article has helped you. We invite you to leave your comments and do not hesitate to ask us what you need. Now we retire, our coffee is getting cold ...

The delusional.

Clarification: We do not charge any commission or financial compensation for mentioning or recommending articles or brands. We do it because we think they are good.

Can I grind coffee beans with Thermomix?

 Can I grind coffee beans with Thermomix?

This article will appeal to  coffee lovers . Have you ever wondered if you can grind your own coffee beans in your Thermomix ? Well the answer is yes. And in fact, if you are coffee growers, you should do it because you are going to notice the difference. Let's see it in detail.

- Can I grind coffee beans with Thermomix and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

Why should we grind coffee with Thermomix?

Having coffee beans at home has many advantages: it preserves its taste and smell properties much better. And, in addition, it is cheaper. A freshly ground coffee has an aroma, taste and smell that is simply unbeatable .

In this way, you can buy your favorite coffee, the one you like the most, store it well so that it is preserved perfectly and grind small quantities to consume it at the moment and a few days later. So you will have a freshly ground coffee instantly and, I assure you, it will be the richest coffee in the world.

Is grinding coffee safe for my Thermomix?

Yes, definitely. The blades of the Thermomix are prepared to chop hard food, including coffee. So, do not be scared by the noise, you will not have to worry about anything at all. In a matter of seconds, you will have a delicious freshly ground aromatic coffee.

How do you grind coffee in the Thermomix?

All right, we have our favorite coffee beans. What do I do with it now? The first thing you have to know is what type of coffee maker you are going to use, because in this way we are going to grind it finer or coarser, that is, more seconds or fewer seconds.

The ideal is to grind the right amount that we are going to consume , so that it has greater freshness. Although we can take advantage of and grind a little more quantity for the following days.

As a reference we will say that for a cup of coffee we will need between 15 g and 20 g of coffee beans (depending on how strong we like coffee).

So let's say we are going to grind 100 g of coffee beans :

• If we have a plunger or French type coffee maker, our grain has to be coarser. We program 30 seconds, progressive speed 5-10.
• If we have an Italian or espresso type coffee maker, our grain has to be finer. We program 50 seconds, progressive speed 5-10.
• Once the time is up, we check the point of our ground coffee and if necessary, we grind for a few more seconds.

How do we preserve our coffee once it is ground?

As we have said before, the ideal is to grind just the coffee that we are going to consume. But, if you want, you can grind for the next few days. Once you have it ground, store it in an airtight jar or jar and it will be perfectly preserved.

How to grind coffee in the blender

 How to grind coffee in the blender

Coffee lovers tend to appreciate noble and selected beans, generally ground at the time of coffee preparation, and for grinding a coffee grinder is usually used, a machine specialized in grinding the beans, leaving them ready for the preparation of coffee. But, if you fancy a grain milled in the hour and you don't have a grain grinder nearby, you can use a blender for this process.

- How to grind coffee in the blender and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

See below the step by step!
1. For the preparation you will need a blender and the amount of beans necessary for the coffee, nothing more. To maintain the aroma and freshness of the coffee, the beans must be ground at the time of preparation.

2. Leave the blender sanitized, place a small amount of grains in the blender - if the need is for more grains, you can repeat the step - and blend for 15 seconds.

3. Turn off the blender and shake the blender jar to loosen the beans.

If necessary, beat for more 15 seconds and repeat the previous process until reaching the desired grinding point, remember that each type of coffee requires a different grind for preparation.

Did you like the idea?

Remember, the correct thing to do is to use the grinder, use the blender only when necessary. Take advantage of the suggestion and good coffee!

What you need and how you should grind the coffee to get it the way you want

 What you need and how you should grind the coffee to get it the way you want

Over time, the culture that surrounds coffee has been generating more and more fans and, with them, a huge range of accessories, coffee makers and techniques to obtain it in the best conditions. Although this boom could be due to the arrival of capsules , initiated by Nespresso more than a decade ago, in recent years it has turned towards how to get a more pure coffee , returning to classic coffee machines such as the Italian one or betting on manual models that give the user all the power when deciding the characteristics of the grain , grinding or pressing.

- What you need and how you should grind the coffee to get it the way you want and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

Under this premise, we see what is the best way to grind coffee , according to consumer tastes, and what accessories are essential if the goal is to become an expert home barista .

To consider
Typically, those who decide to brew their  coffee at home have a hard time finding a way to get it the way they want. In general, the results tend to have a medium taste and they do not know why. However, it is important to know that  with just a small adjustment you can fix it completely or, at least, significantly improve the results . The backbone of all great coffee is a perfect grind. Sometimes many beginners underestimate the importance of grinding, not knowing that it is crucial. The grinder  is an essential link in the chain that stretches from bean to the most exquisite espresso, even though it has been an accessory many times overlooked.

Manual coffee maker

What do we need?

Of course, the coffee machine , which can be drip, automatic, manual or Italian, since in capsules the user does not have the power to configure any aspect of the production process. The grinder is also very important , which can be with blades or pinions and, in some cases, an efficient presser . If you want to grind coffee for several days, it is also advisable to have hermetic containers so that it does not lose its qualities or be affected by humidity.

Grinder

Knife or grinding mills are often used. Knife grains , although more popular, tend to provide a less efficient result, as consistency is the key to a good cup and  if the ground grains are not the same size , some will be over-extracted and others to a lesser extent. In addition to the lack of consistency, blade grinders have another drawback: they only work by turning the mechanism extremely fast, which causes heat and friction . Both of these characteristics imply that the coffee is already heating up, so it will not taste as fresh and the end result will be a slightly charred taste.

Ground

First you need to take a quick look at the different grind sizes, when each should be used, and what kinds of coffees can be achieved. The relationship between the grounds and the extracted coffee is absolute, as it is also necessary to understand the extraction process because, by doing so, insufficient or excessive extraction can be avoided.

Both are bad for product quality and preventing them is actually the reason why different grind sizes are used for different brewers. The goal when choosing a specific grind size is to extract the perfect amount of flavor . If it is not over-ground, few flavors will be extracted, giving a rather watery result. On the other hand, if it is ground too much, the excess flavor is extracted, resulting in a very strong drink for some palates.

Therefore, it is important to be clear that if the grind is very coarse we will have a low extraction . This occurs when not enough flavor has been extracted from the grind and results in a sour, acidic and salty beverage. If it is too fine, the phenomenon known as overextraction occurs , which is when too much flavor has been extracted and it becomes overwhelming and unpleasant, offering a bitter coffee with hollow flavors.

The 9 mistakes we make when making coffee

1. Grind sizes and what they are used for
2. Grind sizes are all there is to know to make a great cup of coffee through different brewing methods. You can't just pick a grind size and use it for just about anything, as some are best suited for certain coffee makers.
3. Very thick . It is ground to a very large size and adapts to methods such as cold brewing.
4. Thick . In appearance it is very similar to sea salt and is used for French pressing and tasting.
5. Medium thick . In this case, it looks more like coarse and rough sand, it works for Chemex and for smart drip.
6. Medium . An excellent starting point to taste the grains. Similar to the consistency of conventional sand, it is perfect for flat-bottom drip, cone-shaped, and Aeropress brewers.
7. Medium-fine grind . Finer than sand, it fits cone-shaped coffee makers and the Aeropress.
8. Fine . The most common size when purchased ground. In terms of consistency, it is slightly finer than table salt and works well for espresso, Aeropress and espresso.
9. Extra fine . It is rarely used and requires a Turkish grinder to achieve this consistency. It is similar to flour or powder in texture and perfect for preparing Ibrik, also known as Turkish coffee.